At 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain
in the world. To climb Kilimanjaro is a great challenge, not to be underestimated, but entirely feasible for the hill walker looking to combine a
high mountain adventure. The snow-capped peak of Africa is a dormant volcano and can be found inside the Kilimanjaro National Park of Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro Mountain is one of the seven natural wonders of Africa and its unique position just below
the equator offers an opportunity to experience five different habitats from bottom to top, which makes an ascent of the mountain undeniably special.
In a matter of days, you’ll climb Kilimanjaro from the equator to what feels like the Arctic, moving through grasslands, tropical rainforest, alpine
meadows, moorlands and desert uplands to snow and ice.
The Marangu Route also known as the “Coca-Cola Route” is the oldest and most well established trekking route on Mount Kilimanjaro, and it
remains extremely popular mainly because it is the only route on the mountain that has hut accommodation for trekkers.
Because it is one of the shortest treks to the summit – requiring just five days to reach Uhuru Peak – the Marangu Route is a
popular one with trekkers who have a limited amount of time for their climb. The downside to this is that it doesn’t provide as
much of an opportunity to acclimatize to the altitude.
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Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you will meet your guide who will transport you to your first hotel. The
rest of the day is yours to get acquainted with Moshi town as you wish!
Tomorrow morning your Kilimanjaro Hike will begin!
Accommodation: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Meal Plan: Dinner
Early in the morning, we drive to Marangu Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. Upon arriving at Marangu Gate, you will be given the time to check-in and register. This is where you begin your ascent of Kilimanjaro. As soon as the registration is done and the team is prepared, our Kilimanjaro adventure through the dense rainforest begins. We may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the black and white colobus monkeys foraging in the lush vegetation. Also you will be able to take in the eucalyptus trees and various species of birds. After about 4 hours of an easy hike through the magnificent rainforest, we reach the beautifully situated Mandara Hut. After a well-deserved break, our guide takes us to the Maundi crater, where we can enjoy a magnificent view of the Kenyan interior. Make sure you have the appropriate equipment and footwear because the low altitudes can produce wet, muddy soil.
Accommodation: Mandara Hut
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
To start off day 2, you will explore the final stretch of woodland as the massive stretch of moorland begins to open up right in front of your eyes. On your walk, you can appreciate the jagged peaks of Mawenzi that ascend up towards the skies of Africa. It is common for people to experience the onset of altitude sickness at these heights. It is important to pay attention to how you feel and communicate with your guide at the first and slightest indication of illness. After reaching the Horombo Huts, you will have time to unpack and experience the view of Kibo Peak, Mawenzi the second-highest peak in the Kilimanjaro and the wide plains below us.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
You will spend an extra day at the Horombo Huts to allow your body to acclimate to the increasingly high altitude. You must stay at camp and relax if you are showing any signs of illness or are feeling especially tired. However, if you feel well-acclimated to the altitude, then you are free to walk up to the remarkable Zebra Rocks (3980m). The distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. A warm lunch awaits us on our return to the Horombo Hut. In the afternoon we can relax and recharge our batteries for the next day’s hike.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
On day 4, you will walk through varied and strikingly picturesque landscapes. To begin, you will continue across the
heath as it slowly turns into the parched, desolate highlands between Mawenzi and Kibo. We will have the Mawenzi and Kibo summits in view almost
the whole long way. The scenery here is littered with huge and small volcanic rocks, acting as a testament to the volcanic activity of years past.
The final stretch to the Kibo Huts is very steep and physically challenging.
Once you arrive at the Kibo Huts, it is time to organize your equipment and warm clothes for tomorrow’s journey to the peak. The ascent
to the summit starts at midnight, so it is important that we recover well beforehand. Because the ascent to the summit is a little longer
from this route, it is very important that we eat and drink enough and recharge our batteries for the long day on the summit. To prevent
freezing, keep any water your plan on bringing in a thermos. Get to bed early, as the next day’s trek requires a full night’s sleep worth
of energy. You are getting ready to take on Kilimanjaro’s most ultimate challenge!
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
As you awake around midnight, there is just enough time for a small meal before you begin your nightly hike. The
goal is to reach Gilman’s Point by dawn. This is to make sure that you can make it to Uhuru, the highest point of Kibo, shortly after sunrise.
There will be a quick stop at Gilman’s Point to experience the glorious view. Afterward, you will continue along the edge of the crater to Uhuru –
this is the last part of the ascent and features a steady incline.
At sunrise, we reach Gilman’s Point (5715 m) on the crater rim. You have to expect strong winds on the ascent. After about an hour we reach
Stella Point (5756 m). Another 1 to 2 hours ascent along the crater ridge leads us to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Here we see Kilimanjaro in all
its glory and enjoy the 360 ° view over the landscape at sunrise. We are now on the “roof of Africa”, you can congratulate yourself as you
experience the astounding view and get a picture in front of the Uhuru Peak Sign.
Now it is time to start back towards the Kibo Huts, you will find that this part goes by incredibly quickly. At lunchtime, we arrive
at the Kibo-Hut. After a warm meal and a break of about 1 hour, we make our way back to the Horombo Hut, where you will enjoy a well-deserved
full night’s rest.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
The last stage leads through the heather and moor zone to the Mandara Hut, where our last lunch
awaits us on the mountain. Day six from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate is nearly 20km but usually only takes 7 hours to complete.
At Marangu Gate, you will be presented with your certificate, either for Gilman’s Point or Uhuru Peak (depending on how far you
managed to get).
You will then be driven to Moshi or Arusha which will make it the end of your trip.
Accommodation: No Accommodation
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast & Lunch)
Hiking Kilimanjaro has its difficulties. Although it doesn’t require any technical climbing or mountaineering skills, due to the high altitude, it is a tough challenge. Anyone with the right level of fitness and mental determination can climb Kilimanjaro though.
Kilimanjaro’s summit success rate starts from 45% to over 85%, depending on the route chosen. The chances of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro are highly dependent on the number of days taken to trek the mountain. The more days the higher the probability of success as your body has more time to adapt and acclimatize.
At the base of the mountain, average temperatures are 70 to 90°F (21 to 32°C) throughout the year. On the summit, temperatures range from -10 to 23°F (-23 to -5°C) with windchill. Weather is changeable, and you should be prepared for these extremes. Your guide will help you decide on appropriate clothing in a detailed briefing.
We have at least one guide for every three trekkers, so you can move at your own pace. Guides will remind you to walk slowly as ascending at a slow and steady pace gives your body a chance to acclimatize.
Upon inquiry, you’ll receive a detailed equipment checklist and guidance to help you
prepare. Many of our guests find they already have some of the items we recommend. Warm clothes (fleece, wind and waterproof layers),
good polarized sunglasses, sunscreen and a head lamp should be included in your packing list.
For those that they don’t have We
will send you a comprehensive equipment checklist, including items available for hire, upon inquiry. Prices are for the duration
of the climb, not per day, and costs can be paid in USD$ cash at your briefing.
All equipment is of good quality, however, we
advise bringing your own walking boots, socks, and base layer clothing, as these will inevitably be a better fit than items
you hire.
No. There are no hotels on the mountain and no cable cars to the top. You will most probably sleep in tents, or in basic huts if you take the Marangu route. Tents and sleeping mats are carried and set up by the porters. You do need to bring a very warm sleeping bag or rent it from Wildtrack Expedition.
You might experience symptoms of altitude sickness – headaches, nausea, loss of
appetite and dizziness. Apart from obvious injuries that can occur when walking in uneven terrain and in very cold conditions,
you will not be in danger of mugging, attack by animals or malarial mosquitoes.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is an incredible adventure, but we realize all the information
can feel overwhelming! If you have any questions at all, no matter how small, please feel free to email our team on
[email protected] We’re excited to be a part of your adventure!
